Steve Franjic aka "The Orangeville Express" has his sites set on the NCC light heavyweight championship.

Steve Franjic v Alvaro Gaona Video

For now, he’ll have to worry about the problem that stands in front of him. Juarez is a 19-8-4 Argentinean who has lost four of his last seven bouts. While this isn’t exactly the type of opponent that is going to encourage the sanctioning bodies to move McGuinness up the ranks, that only means Logan must try to come through with an impressive performance and, if the opportunity presents itself, finish his opponent inside the distance.

Few fighters know better about the need to finish the job than co-main event fighter Steve Franjic. In his last bout, Franjic was in complete control of what appeared to be an overmatched adversary. He was putting together combinations and landing shots to both body and head while keeping his opponent handcuffed. But it took only one blow to the temple for Alvaro Gaona to badly damage Franjic and bring an end to the Ontarion’s undefeated record.

At only 27, Franjic has time to learn from his loss and will start with his opponent on Saturday night, Ricardo Marcela Ramallo. Also an Argentinian, Ramallo has lost three of his last four bouts and will be looking to rebound. He has been in with some of the best fighters in the world, including recent world title challenger Hasaan N’Dam, and will look to use that experience to push the pace over eight rounds.

The undercard is filled with interesting prospects worth watching, and Hamilton’s Kevin Higson is at the top of that list. Currently 5-0 he faces fellow prospect Junmar Emon of Toronto. And then there’s the return of Razor Ruddock. Yes, we’re talking about the same Ruddock who twice fought Mike Tyson and engaged in a memorable brawl with Tommy Morrison. At 51-years-old, Razor has decided to attempt a comeback and while few think this is a good idea, his name will likely help sell some tickets.

Silent Steve Franjic Boxer Pictures

Steve Franjic ready to defend his undefeated pro record

A professional boxer and Schomberg business owner, “Silent” Steve Franjic has his hands busy this year in the ring and in the kitchen.
The 6’3”, light heavyweight orthodox fighter takes to the ring Nov. 15 at the Hershey Centre in an international battle against a relatively unknown Roberto Santos from Mexico.
“There’s limited info on him, and not much video online either. So we’ve gotta be prepared for anything,” said Franjic.
In a rare hint of background information, Franjic knows Santos is coming down from cruiserweight to light heavyweight.
“I assume he’s a bigger guy, probably a harder puncher … it’s something to keep in mind.”
But strategy is not only about power. Franjic has the feeling that he may be able to use Santos’s size to his advantage with speed and agility.
Franjic’s last card came in June, when he knocked out Andrew Gardiner in the fifth round in front of a Montreal crowd.
The 26-year-old is in constant training mode between bouts, making sure to always be “only a few weeks out from fight shape.”
Franjic brings a 12-0-1 record to next month’s fight, boasting seven knockouts over his four-year professional career.
Meanwhile, Santos’s BoxRec page has him listed at an almost identical 12-1-0. The loss came at the hands of Brazilian Hamilton Ventura in his last fight before heading north.
Mississauga has become a boxing hotbed over the last decade, with the Hershey Centre hosting a number of North American Boxing Association title bouts.
In fact, Franjic is coming full circle to the very same venue where he made his pro debut in 2010. He quickly earned a name for himself with his first knockout against Horace Hunter.
“I’m really excited for that,” said Franjic. “I haven’t been back in the ring there in so long. I go to all the shows there, I watch all the other fighters there, now I’m fortunate to be on this bill and I hope they can bring me back again.”
Whille Franjic hails from Orangeville, he is part owner of the family-run In This Corner Bar and Grill in Schomberg, which opened earlier this year in the Brownsville Junction Plaza on Highway 27.
Although his boxing career may require a lot of hard work and time commitments, the restaurant seems to be keeping him on his toes as well.
“We’ve got a busy little spot there. We’ve got a lot of good feedback, and it’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun, too.”